Signing Girls Up for STEM

Should we signed our children up for afterschool programs where the focus is more academics?  I mean they are just leaving school and probably just want to go home.  The answer to that question is yes.  When do we pushed our children to join afterschool programs that they don't want to partake in, especially if it's "more learning"?   When we have taken the time to hear their reasons and still can see the future benefits of the program.  Sometimes it’s not about the now but about the future returns on the current investment.
It is important to expose our children to programs that will help them grow intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually which according to Luke 2:52 in the Bible, is how Christ grew.  That Biblical verse seems to cover all aspects of growth which is how I would want my child to grow.  Not all programs will do all but, if the opportunity offers itself to do one or the other, we must guide our children to pursue it.  Do we have a crystal ball for that growth?  Of course not.  But I believe that most of us have great parental instincts and have travelled that "learned" from road that we must not dismiss."  
When your child say that he/she do not want to join something, first you need to ask why.  For example, my child’s initial fear for not wanting to join a great afterschool STEM program was that she was going to be the only girl there. However, I saw the benefits of her going to a STEM program.  I advised her to try it and to give it a sufficient amount of time (her time frame was at least 3 visits) and if she did not like it than it was not for her but don't just not go because of fear. What was interesting was that by going she found out that she was not the only girl in the program; as she shared with the other girls her concerns, it turned out most of the girls had worried about the same thing.
My child ended up enjoying the program and learning about and how to do different science projects/experiments.  Now if as a parent, I did not pushed her to go, although her young mind blinded her to the benefits, she would have missed out on a great educational, social and fun experience. 
However, before anything make sure you know your child.  Make sure you know some of their interest and how long they can endure anything new as you open their minds to different experiences that they might not have thought about for themselves. 
This STEM program was a great idea for the students.  It was awesome for the leadership to see its purpose and to bring it to that school. That's forward thinking and that is the beauty of Maplewood and its schools. greatschools.org